Hmm. Amazon says the release date is 4th May. Must be a UK/US thing. I couldn't get the opinion point place to work (needs a verified PayPal account, which I don't have), so I caved and ordered my copy yesterday. I'm trying not to look forward to this, but I must admit to some piqued interest._________________I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it (or even read all of it). These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:42 am

Message

Darth SkuldrenModerator

Joined: 04 Feb 2008Posts: 6844Location: Missouri

I listened to Jeff's interview with Fictional Frontiers. Some interesting things: 1st - he originally presented Del Rey with 8 ideas for books and Scourge is the one they chose. 2nd - the working title for the book was Rage of the Hutts. 3rd - Jeff's wife is a long time Star Wars RPGer (she's run a 15 year campaign) so she was very fluent in various elements from the West End Games D6 RPG material and often pointed out to Jeff "Oh, you should check this out." I thought that was funny

And for anyone who plans on reading Scourge who would like a mini-reader's guide to prep themselves for it...I wrote one. Obviously if you're trying to remain 100% spoiler free, you won't want to read it. However, if you don't mind knowing what planets, species, ships, and droids show up, you'll be fine. I thought it would be helpful because it shows what some of the really weird species look like and gives some info on them as a species (I pulled most the info from the Ultimate Alien Anthology and Wookieepedia, the black and white pictures came from Tempest Feud).

At the end, I included some Huttese so you can familiarize yourself with the language. It was fun to make so I hope people can enjoy it.

Here's the link: Reader's Guide to Scourge_________________
"I believe toys resonate with us as humans, we can hold them them, it's tactile, real! They are totems for our extended beliefs and imaginations. A fetish for ideas that hold as much interest and passion as old religious relics for some. We display them in our homes. They show who we are. They are signals for similar thinking people. A way we connect with each other...and I guess thats why I do toys. That connection." -Ashley Wood

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:51 pm

Message

Darth_HenningMaster

Joined: 12 Apr 2011Posts: 577Location: Canada

Darth Skuldren wrote:

1st - he originally presented Del Rey with 8 ideas for books and Scourge is the one they chose.

Interesting. I wonder what they other 7 were and if we might ever see any of them.

Darth Skuldren wrote:

And for anyone who plans on reading Scourge who would like a mini-reader's guide to prep themselves for it...I wrote one. Obviously if you're trying to remain 100% spoiler free, you won't want to read it. However, if you don't mind knowing what planets, species, ships, and droids show up, you'll be fine. I thought it would be helpful because it shows what some of the really weird species look like and gives some info on them as a species (I pulled most the info from the Ultimate Alien Anthology and Wookieepedia, the black and white pictures came from Tempest Feud).

At the end, I included some Huttese so you can familiarize yourself with the language. It was fun to make so I hope people can enjoy it.

Haven't loooked at it yet, but thank you very much. I'm glad to hear that there are some obscure species thrown in. I always like when they take time to do research and focus on things that aren't the "same old same old" in the books.

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:22 pm

Message

ReepicheepMaster

Joined: 05 Feb 2008Posts: 7613Location: Sailing into the unknown

Very cool, Skuldren! My library doesn't have Scourge ordered yet, but once I start reading, I'll be using this for reference.

Parella the Hunter looks awesome._________________
Where sky and water meet,
Where the waves grow sweet,
Doubt not, Reepicheep,
To find all you seek,
There is the utter east.

TheForce.Net = http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/Interview_Scourge_Author_Jeff_Grubb_144915.asp_________________
"I believe toys resonate with us as humans, we can hold them them, it's tactile, real! They are totems for our extended beliefs and imaginations. A fetish for ideas that hold as much interest and passion as old religious relics for some. We display them in our homes. They show who we are. They are signals for similar thinking people. A way we connect with each other...and I guess thats why I do toys. That connection." -Ashley Wood

I quite liked Scourge. While the narrative was annoying, at times, it was overall quite pleasant to read. I particularly enjoyed the characters, well fleshed out and consistently portrayed.

Although

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

I did think it odd that Mander had trouble in the beginning of the book, yet seemed capable of taking down elite guards - or at least I assume they're elite. If not I'd wonder why the head of the Bomu clan was protecting herself with half-wits and incompetents - before the narrative describes him coming into his own after he uses his former apprentice's lightsabre.

Another thing of note is the overall arc of Mander's character, as well as the fascination with mind control, the exploration of which was quite interesting.

Yet

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

another problem I had with the identity of the villain. I've a rule that, whenever the identity of a villain is kept secret, I'm to think of the least likely person that it could be, and immediately I will find my villain. I applied this rule in this book and, immediately, thought of Mika. Who turned out to be the villain. I was disappointed in this

but on the whole I don't hold it against the book._________________I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it (or even read all of it). These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 3:24 am

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HogyMaster

Joined: 14 Dec 2011Posts: 951Location: Nar Shaddaa

Life Is The Path wrote:

I quite liked Scourge. While the narrative was annoying, at times, it was overall quite pleasant to read. I particularly enjoyed the characters, well fleshed out and consistently portrayed.

Although

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

I did think it odd that Mander had trouble in the beginning of the book, yet seemed capable of taking down elite guards - or at least I assume they're elite. If not I'd wonder why the head of the Bomu clan was protecting herself with half-wits and incompetents - before the narrative describes him coming into his own after he uses his former apprentice's lightsabre.

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

Yeah, That did seem odd didn't it. From someone who had truble deflecting Reens shots at the begining of the book, to someone who was described as a "tornado" while going after the Bomu clan matriarch. But than again he still had trouble with that Twi'lek later on.

Life Is The Path wrote:

Another thing of note is the overall arc of Mander's character, as well as the fascination with mind control, the exploration of which was quite interesting.

Yet

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

another problem I had with the identity of the villain. I've a rule that, whenever the identity of a villain is kept secret, I'm to think of the least likely person that it could be, and immediately I will find my villain. I applied this rule in this book and, immediately, thought of Mika. Who turned out to be the villain. I was disappointed in this

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

Was the identity of the villain even supposed to be a "right till the end" mystery hidden from the reader? Sure some will get it sooner than others, but it was so painfully obvious who the bad guy is I doubt anyone will say: "OMG it was Mika all along!" by the time the Spice Lord is called by name. I was under the impression that the identity of the villain was meant to be hidden from Mander not from us the readers. We know who the characters of the book are, but Mander had any number of suspects to consider.

Was the identity of the villain even supposed to be a "right till the end" mystery hidden from the reader? Sure some will get it sooner than others, but it was so painfully obvious who the bad guy is I doubt anyone will say: "OMG it was Mika all along!" by the time the Spice Lord is called by name. I was under the impression that the identity of the villain was meant to be hidden from Mander not from us the readers. We know who the characters of the book are, but Mander had any number of suspects to consider.

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

I feel that the identity was meant to be hidden from the reader, mainly because there were several instances where the identity - where Mander wasn't even in the scene - was hidden from other characters, too (namely the Klatooinian), and the prose seemed to indicate that it was supposed to be a mystery to the reader. If it wasn't meant to be a mystery to the reader, then surely it could have been written differently, to highlight the duplicity of Mika, and the shock of Mander, later?

_________________I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it (or even read all of it). These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 6:40 am

Message

HogyMaster

Joined: 14 Dec 2011Posts: 951Location: Nar Shaddaa

Life Is The Path wrote:

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

I feel that the identity was meant to be hidden from the reader, mainly because there were several instances where the identity - where Mander wasn't even in the scene - was hidden from other characters, too (namely the Klatooinian), and the prose seemed to indicate that it was supposed to be a mystery to the reader. If it wasn't meant to be a mystery to the reader, then surely it could have been written differently, to highlight the duplicity of Mika, and the shock of Mander, later?

You're probably right. I forget that people of all age read SW....

Click here to see the hidden message (It might contain spoilers)

....and some wouldn't have the experience needed for making conclusions that seem obvious to others. Still after Zonnos got killed, the number of posible suspects dropped to two. So it's not exactly "Who is Keyser Soze?" More like..... hm Scooby Doo.

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 9:50 am

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Mara Jade SkywalkerAdministrator

Joined: 15 Feb 2008Posts: 6205Location: Beyond Shadows

You know, I must be honest. I picked up Scourge in Books-A-Million yesterday, and when I first gazed upon the cover, I literally recoiled with a most unhappy expression. That has got to be one of the most...boring covers ever. All the white...it was literally shocking. In a bad way. I didn't like the cover art when they released it, but seeing it on the actual book was worse. Didn't mean to react that way, but it was a natural reaction. _________________"It's not about the legacy you leave, it's about the life you live." ~Mara Jade Skywalker

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 9:57 am

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ReepicheepMaster

Joined: 05 Feb 2008Posts: 7613Location: Sailing into the unknown

I had picked this up from the library, but I opted out of reading it. At least for now. I want to read Riptide as soon as I finish Crosscurrent and I have other non-Star Wars books that I want/have to read._________________
Where sky and water meet,
Where the waves grow sweet,
Doubt not, Reepicheep,
To find all you seek,
There is the utter east.

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:04 pm

Message

DannikJerrikoEUC Staff

Joined: 09 Nov 2011Posts: 1236Location: Nirn

Mara Jade Skywalker wrote:

You know, I must be honest. I picked up Scourge in Books-A-Million yesterday, and when I first gazed upon the cover, I literally recoiled with a most unhappy expression. That has got to be one of the most...boring covers ever. All the white...it was literally shocking. In a bad way. I didn't like the cover art when they released it, but seeing it on the actual book was worse. Didn't mean to react that way, but it was a natural reaction.

Same. I like the idea of the story, but the cover is just awful._________________There's always a bigger fish - Qui Gon Jinn.

You shall learn that history is an intricate weaving of many events. No one thing can be understood without the proper context.